Could Santa Clara County drive efficiency by repurposing the Fairgrounds?
In 2020, concerned citizen David Yborra sent the following email (abbreviated) to two then-SCC Supervisors. He suggested SJ’s Fairgrounds property could be better utilized throughout the year if the County: used it instead of leasing costly buildings, recycled it into low-income housing, or sold it to the UC system. (And in case you’re wondering: one Supervisor ignored Yborra’s email, and the other promised—but failed—to schedule a meeting on it.)
The county has several buildings that it leases. This is very costly to the taxpayers. The three Social Services building leases off of the 87 North/Julian St. exit are just one example among many. It would seem that from a strictly business point of view, that it would make more sense to have all county offices and services at one location. A beautiful new tower on the old San Jose city offices land that the county purchased some years back would make sense now with the current ridiculously low interest rates. Yes, it is true that the county is in a financial crunch due to Covid. But as we transition out of Covid, interest rates are likely to spike up significantly rather quickly. I presume that a project of this magnitude would require a voter-approved ballot initiative.
I believe that an even better idea would be to take over the Fairgrounds property. Let's be very honest for a moment. Most of this large and hugely valuable property sits unused during most of the year. Because of the SJC flight path issue, you could not go with towers but could probably go with 4 to 8 story building heights. I picture a gorgeous campus with modern Green architecture built to LEED specifications. For added aesthetics, the parking could go underground. The city of San Jose has sadly not embraced Green or LEED. You could show them how it's done. It is 2020 after all and this is Silicon Valley. With 150 acres, you would still have plenty of room for the County Fair, Tet Festival and other activities. At 5.5 miles south of the current Hedding location, you would be closer to the dead center of the county. Access from Hwy's 101 or 87, using the Capital or Tully exits would make things easy for staff and county residents.
Or, sell 100 acres of the Fairgrounds for housing (to include low income) and preserve 50 acres for the Fair, Tet, etc....
Or, sell all of it to UC for a new university. Madison Nguyen had this idea years ago and I think it is a good one. SJSU is known for computer engineering. A new UC could specialize in biotech. Covid has certainly taught us that biotech will be super important to our futures. Why let South San Francisco have all the biotech fun?
The sale of the Fairgrounds would fetch an enormous sum, enough to pay for a new tower next to the current Hedding tower. The 43 acre Emma Prusch Farm Park nearby could serve as a lovely location for the Fair, Tet Festival, etc....
If you moved to the Fairgrounds site, you could sell the current Hedding/old San Jose city site ALSO for an enormous sum, particularly with the new Google city coming soon close by. Think big!!!
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